Apparatus for conveying and immersing articles



Aug. 16, 1949.- Y

Filed Nov. 24,. 1944 J. V. DAVIS APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND IMMERSING ARTICLES 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 16, 1949. l. v; DAvls APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING' AND IMMERSING ARTICLES Filed Nov. 24, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll Allg. 16, 1949.- J, v, DAv|s 2,479,322

APPARATUS FOR,CONVEYING AND IMMERSING ARTICLES Filed Nov. 24, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N VEN TOR.

da//A/ V W5.

J. V. DAVIS APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING ANDIMMERSING ARTICLES Aug. 16, 1949.

8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 24, 1944 INVENToR. daf/N V/ V45.

Aug- 15, 1949- J. v. DAVIS 2,479,322

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND IMMERSING ARTICLES Filed Npv. 24, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 -i d -ILI |I il `1 :r l l L INVENTOR. Q dwf/Y W5.

BY I

Z/WW

Aug. 16, 1949. J. v. DAvls 2,479,322

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND IMMERSING ARTICLES Filed Nov. 24, 1944 8 SheetS-Sheetl 6 INVENTOR. Bix-LK* c///N V/Qy/ S' p 5 BY. A W i A I Aug. 16, 1949. l J, VDM/.S 2,479,322

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND IMMERSING ARTICLES 5 J//Q/A/ fan/M v j" Y a "9 )l I i L, i. l 5 v0 (-Y c /9 /L/Z/W Aug. 16, 1949. q, v, DAVIS 2,479,322

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND IMMERSING ARTICLES' Filed N ov. 24. 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 feg ""15/7 /06 y dow/v YAv/s.

Patented Aug. 16, 1949 APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND IMIMERSING ARTICLES John V. Davis, Corporation, Delaware Detroit, Mich., assignor to Udylite Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Application November 24, 1944, Serial No. 564,978

13 Claims. l

The present invention relates to a novel apparatus for and method of processing material in a succession of baths or uid compartments, for example, as in electro-plating.

In such an apparatus the work is moved along the series of baths by a propelling device such as a work drive chain and ymust be lifted in order to cross the partition between consecutive baths. The liftingmechanism may take several forms already known in the art and is a relatively complicated device in any of these forms.

One of the objects of this invention is to simplify the lifting mechanism. Another object is to provide novel intervals and relations in the operating cycle, as a method of processing.

The novel lifting mechanism, in its broad concept, includes an elevator structure carrying a pusher device and also a section or sections of work carrier rail. When the elevator structure is raised, carrying with it the pusher device and a rail section, the pusher device remains in functioning relation to said section but moves out of functioning relation to the remaining, unmoved part of the carrier rail. In the elevated position, the pusher is given a movement that carries the work on the elevated rail section from one bath to the next. The elevator structure is lowered to re-aline the rail sections and return the pusher device to functioning relation with the entire carrier rail, and the pusher is given a movement before being elevated again for the next transfer. Automatic mechanism is provided for the timed movements of the pusher device and elevator structure.

Numerous advantages are lifting mechanism and mode of operation and are described in detail hereinafter. The particular means for realizing the individual advantages are regarded as additional objects of the invention.

Among the advantages are the following: (l) The lifting mechanism is relatively simple in construction, (2) a separate transfer mechanism for each station is not required, (3) additional transfer stations may be provided by removing sections from the fixed rail and mounting them on the elevator structure, (4) the Work carrier center distance may be changed without alteration of the transfer mechanism.

A novel and desirable relation in the cycle may be introduced by giving the pusher a slightly shorter movement in the elevated positionthan in the lower position. Thus, when the pusher elements return to the fixed rail, they lie a definite short distancebehind the work carriers on that rail, and there is no possibility of misalinederived from this n ment between the pusher elements and the work carriers for the next push movement.

Another object of the invention is to combine such an apparatus with a separate, one-compartment tank and to propel the work in the latter tank by the vertically displaceable pusher device. This pusher device is arranged to clutch with and drive the Work drive of the auxiliary tank when the pusher device is in the lowered position and to disengage the work drive when elevated.

Other characteristics and objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of the device, partly in section;

Figure 2 is a section on the line '2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a detail side elevation, partly in section;

vFigure 4 is a detail plan view;

Figure 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the chassis in elevated position;

Figure 6 is a detail side elevation showing the chassis and associated parts elevated slightly from a fixed rail section;

Figure 6A is a section on the line Figure 6;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 1-1 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a detail plan view of the rail joint;

Figure 9 is a diagram of thev'segmented rail;

Figure 10 is a vertical elevation of the chain driving mechanism, showing associated parts in section;

Figure 11 is a plan view thereof;

Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the movement of Work from a xed rail section to a movable rail section;

Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the movement of work from a movable rail section to a fixed rail section;

Figure 14 is a partial side elevation on a modifled machine having a segmented rail and .a continuous rail;

Figure 15 is a portion thereof;

Figure 16 is a vertical section of the interconnecting drive gear;

Figure 1'7 is a detail of Figure 16; and

Figure 18 is a detail elevation illustrating the segmented rail and the continuous rail in communication with each other.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

BA-GA of plan view of the continuous rail The tank is assembled in any suitable manner and may be erected, for example, on a base con sisting of longitudinal I-beams I, transverse I- beams 2 and intermediate longitudinal beams 3 and transverse beams 4 positioned where required as will presently appear. The tank forms a closed circuit and consists of outer plates 5 mounted on the outer beams I and 2, inner plates 6 mounted on the inner longitudinals 3 and the end transversals 4, and partitions 1, mounted on the inner transversals 4 according to the desired length of the compartments 8 thereby formed. It desired or feasible, each compartment may be built as a separate unit and the several units assembled to form a closed processing circuit.

A number of columns III are mounted in the,

center line of the tank and extend a considerable distance above the top of the tank for a purpose that will presentlty be shown. The upper ends of the column are joined by a girder II for reinforcement. To opposite sides oi.' some or all of the columns are attached angle irons I2 running lengthwise of the tank and supporting angle cross brackets I3 slightly above the tank. To the brackets are secured angle cross bars I4 for supporting electrode rail sections approximately in the center line of the tank circuit.

The rail sections I5 are laid upon the bars I4 and secured thereto by studs I6 entered from beneath the horizontal webs of the bars. A shield or pan I'I may be positioned beneath and along the rail sections and spaced therefrom by suitable insulators I8. Insulating bushings I9 surround the studs I6 within the bars I4, and an insulating washer 20 is inserted between the head 2i of each stud and the adjacent bar I4.

It is to be noted particularly that fixed rail sections I5 are spaced apart or formed with gaps 22, thereby constituting a discontinuous or interrupted rail. The ends of each rail section are formed with V-grooves 23 or other means enabling insertion of other rail sections to complete a continuous electrode rail, as will presently be shown.

The longitudinal upper edges of the tank carry angle irons 25 to which are secured hooked brackets 26 extending over the tank for supporting two independently continuous rails 21 at opposite sides of the rail sections I5. The sections I5 carry current of a given sign, and the rails 21 carry current of the opposite sign, as well known in the art.

In the upper end of each column I0, beneath the adjacent girder II, is mounted a pulley or sprocket wheel 30 on a horizontal axis. In an adjacent angle between each column and girder are secured gusset plates 3| to support a companion pulley or sprocket wheel 32. Over each pair of pulleys 30, 32 is laid a cable or sprocket chain 33 with one lap lying within the corresponding hollow column IU. To the free end of the lap is secured a weight 34 concealed within the column. The remaining laps of the members 33 lie outside of the columns and are fastened to a suspended.' vertically movable framework that is counterbalanced by the Weights 34.

The suspended framework, or chassis, includes a pair of longitudinal members spaced laterally a short distance from the columns I0 and running nearly the entire length of the tank. The members 35 are joined by an adequate number of transversals 3'6 and are reinforced by trusswork 31 thereon. 'Ihe members 33 are attached to the chassis at points 38. The purpose of the chassis is to carry rail sections to illl the gaps 22, the work drive chain for work suspended 0n the in- 4 termedlate rail, and also preferably the drive mechanism for the chain.

The center columns III are spaced narrowly, and between them a hydraulic cylinder 40 is suspended from the girders II. Within the cylinder is a piston 4I from which a rod 42 extends through the lower end of the cylinder. To the rod is attached a crosshead 43 travelling in guide rails 44 fastened to the lower portion of the center co1- umns III. The girders II carry pulleys or sprockets 45 at opposite sides of the cylinder 40. The outer ends of the girders carry companion pulleys or sprockets 46 which, as well as the members 45, are on lhorizontal axes. On each pair of pulleys 45, 46 is laid a cable or sprocket chain 41, one end of which is attached to the crosshead 43 and the other end to the chassis 35-31 at points 48.

It is now evident that the downward stroke of the piston rod 42 and crosshead 43 elevates the chassis 35-31 and parts carried thereby, counterbalanced by the weights 34. To guide the chassis laterally and transversely while travelling vertically, roller frames 49 are carried thereby at the outer faces of the outer columns I0 and provided with vertical rollers 50 riding on the longitudinal faces of the columns.

The chassis members 35 carry outwardly extending arms 5I at close intervals. The outer end of each arm has a chain guide shoe 52 bolted thereto, with a spacer block 53 interposed. Hangers 35 are suspended from the members 35, and to the hangers are secured outwardly extending arms 35". 'I'he arms 35 carry jaws 36 in which are clamped rail sections 54, in the same manner as the sections I5, directly over the gaps 22 in order to iill the same. Those arms 35" that are disposed at the columns I0 also carry rollers 50', as shown in Figure 2. The ends of the sections 54- are pointed at 55 and the walls of the V-slots are preferably coated with graphite to serve as a lubricant and as a conductor between the fixed and movable rail sections. Additional jaws 36' can easily be applied to other members 36 in order 45 to provide flexibility for inserting additional movable rail sections wherever desired and of whatever length. The gaps 22 will, of course, be made to correspond with the length of the respective movable sections.

The chassis 35-31 also carries end plates 60 for supporting guide wheels 6I in a horizontal plane and having substantially the same radius as the bends 62 in the intermediate rail. Around the wheels 6I is trained a double link sprocket chain consisting of two sets of overlapping links 63 joined and spaced by hollow studs 64.

Work carrier hooks 65 are slidably suspended from the intermediate rail by shoes 56 formed integrally with the hooks. Racks 61 are suspended from the hooks, and the work is mounted on the racks in the usual manner. The carrier hooks are propelled by pushers carried by the Work drive chain 63, 64. Each pusher consists of a shoe 68 slidable on the intermediate rail, with an integral top plate '69 extending therefrom and having two iixed vertical pins I0 passed through two consecutive hollow studs 64 of the chain. The pins 'I0 are held by a cross pin 1I passed through their free ends.

On one of the end plates 60 is mounted an electric motor 15 on a horizontal axis lengthwise of the machine. 'I'he extended motor shaft 'I6 carries a drive pulley 11. On the chassis 35-31 is also mounted a gear reduction box I6 having an input shaft I9 parallelto the motor shaft 16.

-point of engagement mittently.

s4. The cnam is now The shaft 19 carries'a pulley pulley 11, and the'pulleys are The output shaft s2 of the gear reduction box extends vertically downward and carries a drive sprocket 83 meshing with the chain BI, il. Guide shoes Il engage the with the sprocket In the operation of the deviceas thus far described, let it be assumed be mounted on 18" centers. In such case the pusherS-BB-H are mounted on 18"v centers on the chain 63, 6L The work is loaded on a fixed rail section i at the loading station and becomes automatically spaced when engaged by the pushers.

The .motor is timed 'to move the chain inter- When the rail sections l5 and M are in line, the chain 63, 64 is moved a predetermined distance which may be the center distance or about 18". It stops for a predetermined interval, during which the hydraulic cylinder III is actuated to lift the movable sections 5I, thereby clearing the work over the partitions 1. The

chain at both sides of its that the racks are to sa m une witntne' joined by a belt 3i.

chain is then shifted less than the lowermovement, or about 1'7". The elevated work is thus transferred over the partitions 1, When the chain stops, the hydraulic cylinder lll is operated again to lower the shifted about 18", and the cycle is repeated.A The timing of the motor and hydraulic cylinder may be accomplished by means known in the art, such as limit switches switches 92 operated'by fingers 9! on the elevator structure.

As a result of the shorter chain movement in the elevated position than in the lower position, the pushers 68-1l come downwardly torest on the fixed railsections l5 at positions spaced behind the hooks on these sections, as shown in Figure l thus avoiding clashing and assuring that the work will vbe pushed in the next movement of the chain.

The movement of the work with respect to the ilxed and movable rail sections is illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 12 and 13. The rail joints z3, 5s -arearmnged to 11e about midway between consecutive pushers at rest. The work is assumed to be spaced 18" apart on a xedsection, and work piece A the movable section 54. When the latter is raised with the pusher chain, pieces B and C become disengaged froml the pushers. The next chain movement advances piece A on section 5I and also an unloaded pusher X, while pieces B and C remain stationary. When the rail sections are again alined and the pusher chain shifted again,

advanced on section 54, with idle pusher while pieces C and D are advanced on xed section i5 at the normal 18" centers. Thus, consecutive pieces A and B on a movable section 5l are spaced double the normal distance. e remaining diagrams in Figure 12 show that ll pieces on a given movable section il are necessarily spaced in the same way because of the transfer of an unloaded pusher X from a fixed section to a movable section in the elevated position of the latter.

As the work passes from a movable section 54 to a fixed section I5, it resumes spacing. This is illustrated in Figure 13. The foremost piece A on section 54 is n rst pushed about 9" on the iixed section I5. When the pusher chain and section' 5l are raised and the chain shifted, piece A remains stationary while piece B is X in front of it,

chain and the rail sectionsy 9.0 operated by fingers 9| on the chainand limit is rst moved about 9" on the normal 18" tor in the overall timing. characteristic is the assured positioning of the' pushersbehind the carrier hooks on the nxed rail pieces 'B and C advanced on section Il. Un-

pushers Y have made-,an idle movementon section I4. The rail sections are again alined loaded and the pusher chain ,885111 shifted, advancing piece A a full stroke and piece B a half stroke on section Il, while piece C advances a full stroke on section Il. The alternate unloaded pushers Y on movable section M assure that work pieces will not be pushed olf that section in its elevated Y position. Pieceson section II, and figure show that succeeding pieces are similarly spaced `on the fixed rail section I5. 'Thiais due to the transfer of unloaded pushers Y on section I5, -or the stationary condition of work pieces on section i5 while other pieces are being advancedthereto from movable section l5. Thus, when the work reaches the unloading station on a xed rail section, it is on normal 18" centers.

' One of the advantages of the apparatus is .the simplicity of only the elevating of the single drive chain and the movable rail sections. The usual transfer de- A and B are one stroke apart vices, requiring removal of the work fromA the Additional transfer stations may be provided Y by cutting sections from the xed rail atsuch stations and mounting them on the chassis in the same manner as the othei movablerail sections The upper horizontal chain speed may be dif. ferent fromthe lower horizontalspeed, thus furnishing an additional variable or controllable fac- Another result of this sections when the pusher chain is brought down,

' as already set-forth.

- Thework ls lifted and lowered in a true verti-4 cal path, with the result that waste of tank length is avoided. Moreover, the construction of the elevator mechanism is such as to permit unequal lifting and lowering speeds. Som'e shapesof work requireslow lifting but permit rapid immersion, whileother shapes require slow immersion but permit rapidl lifting.

The work carrier center distance may be varied without requiring alteration of the transfer mech' anism. It isonly necessary to relocate the pushers on the drive chain and readjust the timing.

Inthe modication shown in Figures 14 to 18, there is provided, as in the previous embodiment, a tank 90, columns 9| and a vertically movable chassis 92. The chassis carries movablerail sections 93 and a work drive chain 94 substantially in the manner previously described. One of the wheels around which the chain 94 is passed is'a sprocket 95 meshing with the chain to rotate positively therewith -for a purpose that will presently appear. The tank supports-xed rail sections 96 also as previously described.

A second tank 91 -is mountedin line with the tank 9U and is of such length' as to furnish a relatively long immersion. On this tank is suitably supported a continuous or non-segmented rail 99 having however, free ends 99 positioned to regis-r ter with movable rail sections 93 when lowered.

I5 Thetank 91 supports a pair of wheels itil and theremaining diagrams in this the lifting mechanism, involving uvam ' tion and a movable section, the movable 'l lll aroimdwhichistrainedalworkmovingchsin vlll. Thewheel lllisasprocketandisvertically coaxial with the wheel Il. 'I'he chain Il carries pushers llt adapted to emage hangers Ill on the sections I8, and the chain III similarly carries pushers III engaging hangers III on lthe ccntinuous rail Il.

The upper face of the sprocket il. ls formed with a series of pockets lll spaced circumferentiailyaceordingtothepitch of the chains. Prom the lower face of the upperwheel il extends a .drive pin ill backed by a spring lll and adapted to enter one 'of the pockets Ill when the chassis l! is lowered.. The chain Il is driven by mechanism III as in the previous construction. It is now apparent that when the chassis is lowered the-pin lll cooperates with the sprocket ll'l to serve as a clutch for driving the wheel lll and the chain lll, intermittently advancing the work from one end of the rail Il to the other.

The rail sections are suitably insulated from the other parts ofthe apparatus. Each section is obviously equipped with an individual pair of conduction cables that permit the movement of the movable sections. Suitable switching mechanism is provided for placing a positive or a' negative charge, selectively, on the rail sections in any of their positions. i. e., the upper and lower positions and while in motion upwardv or downward.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described. it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of .the invention as inf dicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In an apparatus for treating .work by immersion, a series of receptacles, a work carrier rail extending along said receptacles, said rail having a nxed section and a movable section, an elevator frame over said receptacles and rail, pusher means carried by said frame for moving work along said rail, said movable rail section being also carried by said frame. said pusher means being in permanent functioning relation to said movable section, and means for 'raising and lowering said frame.

2. In an apparatus for treating work by immersion, a series of receptacles, a work vcarrier rail extending along said receptacles, said rail having a iixed section and a movable section, an elevator frame over said receptacles and rail, a work drive chain carried by said frame, pusher elements carried by said chain for moving work along said rail, said movable rail section being also carried by said frame. said pusher elements being in permanent functioning relation to said movable section, and means for raising and lowering said frame. l

3. In an apparatus for treating work by immersion, a tank, a partition dividing said tank into compartments, a work carrier rail extending along said tank, said rail having a fixed section and a movable section, the movable section passing through the upwardly projected plane of said partition, pusher means for moving work along said rail, and means for elevating said movable section and said pusher 'means from said fixed section, with said pusher means in functioning relation to saidmo'vable section.

4. In an apparatus for treating work by immersion, a tank, a. partition dividing said tank into compartments. a work carrier rail extending along said tank, said rail having a fixed secland rail, pusher meanscarried by said frame for moving'work along said rail, said movable rail section being also carried by said frame, said pusher means being in permanent functioning re lation to said movable section, and means for raising and lowering said frame.

5. In an apparatus for treating work by immersion, a tank, a partition dividing said tank into compartments, a work carrier rail extending along said tank, said rail having a fixed section and a movable section, the movable section passing through the upwardly projected plane of said partition, an elevator frame over said tank and rail, a work drive chain carried by said frame. pusher elements carried by said chain for moving work along said rail, said movable rail section being also carried by said frame, said pusher elements being in permanent functioning relation to saidmovable section, and means for raising and loweringv said frame.

6. In an apparatus for treating work by imv mersion,'a tank, a partition dividing said tank into compartments, a work carrier rail extending along said tank, said rail having a fixed section and a movable section, the movable section passing through the upwardly projected plane of said partition. an elevator frame over said tank and rail, pushermeans carried by said frame for moving work along said rail, said'movable rali. section being also carried by said frame, said pusher means being' in permanent functioning relation to said movable section. means carried by said frame for propelling said pusher means, and means for raising and lowering said frame.

7. In an apparatus for treating work by immersion, a tank, a partition dividing said tank into compartments, a work carrier rail extending along said tank, said rail having a fixed section and a movable section, the movable section passing through the upwardly projected plane of said partition. an elevator frame over said tank and rail, a work drive chain carried by said frame, pusher elements carried by said chain for moving-work along said rail, said movable rail section being also carried by said frame; said pusher elements being in permanent functioning relation to said movable section, means carried by said frame for propelling said pusher means, and means for raising and lowering said frame.

8. A- apparatus comprising a tank,

a work `carrier rail extending valong said tank,

, work along said rail, said movable rail section being also carried by said frame, said pusher means being in permanent functioning relation to said movable section, means for raising and lowering said frame',A a second tank alined with the first tank, a carrier rail extending alongthe second tank, a pusher cooperating with the last named rail, and means operatively connected with said pusher means to drive said pusher in the lowered position of said frame and to disengage from said pusher in the elevated position of said frame.

9. A processing apparatus comprising a tank, a work carrier rail extendingalong said tank, said rail having a iixedsectlon'and a movable section, an elevator frame over the said tank and rail, a work drive chain carried by said frame, pusher elementscarried by said chain for moving work along said rail, said movable rail section being also carried by said frame, said pusher elements being in permanent functioning relation to said movable section, and means for raising and lowering said frame, a second tank alined with the rst tank, a, carrier rail extending along the second tank, a pusher cooperating with the last named rail, a wheel rotatable during movement of said chain, and means associated with said wheel for clutching with and driving said pusher in the lowered position of said frame and declutching from said pusher in the elevated position of said frame.

10. A processing apparatus comprising a tank, a Work carrier rail extending along said tank, said rail having a fixed section and a movable section, an elevator frame over the said tank and rail, a work drive chain carried by said frame, pusher elements carried by said chain for moving work along said rail, said movable rail section being also carried by said frame, said Pusher elements being in permanent functioning relation to said movable section, and means for raising and lowering said frame, a second tank alined with the first tank, a carrier rail extending along the second tank, a pusher chain for the last named rail, a wheel for driving said pusher chain, a wheel rotatable during movement of the rst named chain, and clutching means between said wheels and adapted to engage in the lowered position of said frame and to disengage on elevation oi said frame.

11. In an apparatus for treating work by immersion, a series of receptacles, a horizontal work carrier rail extending along said receptacles, said rail having a fixed section and a vertically movable section, a pusher propelling means vertically movable with said vertically movable rail section, said pusher propelling means having pusher elements` operative on said fixed and movable sections and movable longitudinally of said iixed and movable sections for pushing work therealong, and means for simultaneously elevating said movable section and said pusher propelling means and pusher elements from said iixed section.

12. In an apparatus for treating work by immersion, a series of receptacles, a. horizontal work carrier rail extending along said receptacles, said rail having a xed section and a vertically movable section. a. pusher propelling means vertically movable with said vertically movable rail section,

said pusher propelling means having pusher elements operative on said fixed and movable sections and movable longitudinally of said fixed and movable sections for pushing work therealong, and means for simultaneously elevating said movable section and said pusher propelling means and pusher elements from said fixed section, the joint end of one 0f said rail sections being formed with a recess, and the joint end of the other section being shaped to enter said recess on vertical movement.

13, In an apparatus for treating work by immersion, a series of receptacles, a horizontal work carrier rail extending along said receptacles, said rail having a fixed section and a vertically movable section, a pusher propelling means vertically movable with said vertically movable rail section, said pusher propelling means having pusher elements operative on said fixed and movable sections and movable longitudinally of said fixed and movable sections for pushing work therealong, and means for simultaneously elevating said movable section and said pusher propelling means and pusher elements from said fixed section, the joint end of one of said rail sections having a V-groove with its sides in vertical planes, and the joint end of the other section being tapered to enter said groove on vertical movement.

JOHN V. DAVIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 545,412 McCarter Aug. 27, 1895 607,656 Dixon July 18,- 1898 1,860,105 Lemire May 24, 1932 2,023,668 Dow Dec. 10, 1935 2,116,430 Gordon May 3, 1938 2,182,184 Todd Dec. 5, 1939 2,245,673 Huenerfauth June 17, 1941 2,342,598 Ozouf Feb. 22, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 627,401 France June 7, 1927 

